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The Audition

The Audition

 

Lorraine said, “Let’s try out to be mermaids at Weeki Wachee.”

 

Her colleague was creating a Netflix documentary.

We signed releases, hoping Lorraine’s filmed snippets

would show up in the MerPeople series.

 

If you knew us—you’d ask, “Mermaid?

Aren’t mermaids tall and shapely, not an ounce of fat,

with long, flowing hair, and, most of all, young?”

 

Lorraine’s short, round and curvy,

very bright and peppy

but still—middle-aged.

 

I’m tall, but my hair doesn’t reach my shoulders,

my breasts wouldn’t fill a seashell bra.

On the day of the audition, I’d be exactly 79.5 years old.

 

Weeki Wachee’s a State Park.

Applying for employment is open to all—a multi-page ordeal.

Florida doesn’t hold with discrimination,

no matter your body-type or advanced age.

 

Lorraine and I’d been rehearsing

the pin wheel and dolphin kicks

in my 82-degree condo pool.

 

That winter day arrived: January 28, 2023.

We were forced to jump, not allowed to ease

into 72-degree water.

 

I was swimming in that famous spring

others longed to experience,

my lungs collapsed like popped balloons.

 

Should you look for us on Netflix?

along with Sparkles and Che Monique? No.

Our selfies, shared, without a thought of compensation, weren’t used.

 

But don’t look for us on the cutting room floor either.

Watch for Lorraine’s 18-minute blockbuster Unlikely Mermaid

at a film festival near you!

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